Optimal video on a budget with Newport Interactive Marketers

Video marketing that respects your budget

Today’s websites are still mostly boring. While blogs make an attempt and social media strives to bring people into new media, only video captures personality. Savvy marketers are adding web video to their websites and blogs not just for authenticity and building relationships, but also for SEO.

According to Overdrive Interactive’s Jeff Selig: “Video viewers are 20% more likely to make a purchase, especially when looking at results further down the page.” See the full “blended search” aka “universal search” post based on Jeff’s Boston SEO Meetup presentation.

Another full house for Newport Interactive Marketers‘ March gathering & presentation from video expert Patrick Hughes of Visual Post.

3 keys to quality video

• Location
• Lighting
• Content

Tips for indoor filming

• Lighting is important. Face a window and shoot video. Don’t shoot with window behind you.
• Watch out for fluorescent lighting (make you look green) & being backlit when shooting video.
• Find a nice, comfortable place in your home or office.  A place where you feel relaxed.

Outdoor filming

• Don’t shoot at high noon. Mid-morning is good. Some clouds OK., diffuses light.
• Mid-morning, mid-afternoon best times to shoot video unless it’s cloudy & then you’re golden.
• Shoot video during the “golden hour” — during sunrise or sunset, never middle of day.

Web video: What should I film?

• Rather than train everyone individually, consider shooting a training video: saves time & money.
• Babies, kids, pets & staff video snapshots make for great video content.
• Common success-story themes
• Testimonials are worth their weight in gold for your website.  But, not if they’re boring!

Viral video: Where can I get one?

There’s no “secret sauce” to make a viral video, but it’s always good to keep these elements in mind, whether you’re aiming for viral or not.

• Think outside the box. What will make people talk? Share? Tell their friends?
• Go for BUZZ. Creativity!!
• Simplicity, excitement, originality.

Viral or not: Always have a call to action at the end of your video.

“Video is the most engaging format online.  Video adds authenticity.  People want to work with people:  Video brings your personality back into your online presence.” — Patrick Hughes of Visual Post

View Patrick’s slides on Newport Interactive Marketers Slideshare channel: Visual Post’s web video production tips